Friday, August 17, 2012

Pussy Riot

The members of the Russian all-girl punk band Pussy Riot have been sentenced to 3 years in prison for a political protest that offended religious groups and the Russian leader, Putin. The women held an impromptu performance of a "protest prayer" at a Russian Orthodox church. They were sentenced for "hooliganism" motivated by religous hatred and accused of doing the devil's work. Seriously.

In this 21st century age of "enlightenment" ignorance still runs rampant. My hat's off to these women - they're far braver than me. To even perform in a controversial punk band in formerly communistic Russia is a terrifying thought, much less staging a protest like this, knowing full well this could be the result.

The problem is massive corruption. Putin seeks to silence all opposition, and making bedfellows of the Russian Orthodox church is a smart political move. Here he kills two birdies with one stone, silences protestors while appeasing the church leaders, who are in turn throwing their support behind former KGB spy Putin. In fact, it was the leader of the Russian church, Patriarch Krill, who watched a youtube clip of Pussy Riot in action and called President Putin demanding they be arrested.

What's the matter Krill, scared of a bunch of girls? You should be. This is how empires crumble... Even corrupt religious regimes like yours.